Interrupter for ignition devices



c. T. MASON. INTERRUPTER. FOR IGNITION DEVICES.-

.' JAPPLICAIIQN FILED MAR. 21: [91B- Patented Jan. 6, 1920.

2 SHEET I.

1C..T.MAS0N'. INTERR UPTER FOR IGNITION DEVICES.

APPLICATJON FILED MMLZT, I918.

Patented .J an. 6,1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- auuentoz UNITED STATES Parana OFFICE.

.CHARLES THOMAS MASON, OF SUMTER, SOUTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO SPLITIDORFELECTRICAL COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Application filed March 27, 1913. Serial No. 225,030.

To all whom it may concern: 4

Be it known that 1, CHARLES THOMAS hiasox, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Sumter, in the county of Sumter and State of SouthCarolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inInterrupters for Ignition Devices, of Which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in interrupters forignition devices and more particularly to an. interrupter for breakingthe primary circuit in a high tension ignition system for producing acurrent in asecondary circuit for sparking purposes.

In my co-pending application, Serial Number 223,16i, filed March 18,1918, I have shown and described a method and ignition mechanism forcarrying out the method wherein the primary circuit of a high tensionignition system is interrupted by the separation of the same pair ofcontacts at each spark interval and wherein the resistance' of saidcontacts when closed is reduced by other contacts arranged in multipletherewith and which are timed so as to open before and close after theother contacts which interrupt the primary circuit.

The present invention is directed to improvements in an interrupter foran ignition mechanism such as set forth in my prior application andanobject of the present invention is to provide an interrupter whichshall be durable in construction, of few parts, positively operated andconstructed so that the various parts may be readily disassembled foradjustment and for repair.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration one embodiment of theinvention Figure l is a front view of an interrupter withthe cap plateremoved;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the interrupter;

Fig. 3- is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line H of Fig. 1- Fig. 0 is a View showingmore or less diagrammatically the interrupter with the cam positionedfor separating one pair of contacts;

Fig. 6 is a similar View but showing the INTERRUPTER FOR IGNITIONDEVICES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Q Patented Jan. 6, 1929..

cam position for separating both pairs of 65 contacts;

F 1g. 7 1s a view showing in front elevation a'modified form of meansfor separat-' ing the stationary contact points.

The invention is embodied broadly in an interrupter for breaking thecircuit of a high tension ignition system which includes two pairs ofcontacts, one of which is of higher conductivity than the other. One

contact in each pair is fixed while the other contact of each pair iscarried by a shiftable lever, which is moved by a cam on the main shaftof the .magneto or the generator when the interrupter isapplied to suchignition system. :One of .these con: tacts carried by the shiftablelever is mounted yieldingly thereon arid held that in the movements ofthe g lever, one pair of contacts will be separated and while they areseparated the other pair of contacts will '75 open and close. Thesecontacts arealso so arranged that the contacts of relatively highconductivity are opened first and'while they are opened the contacts ofrelative low conductivity are opened and closed so that the circuit isalways broken by the contacts of relative low conductivity :andthecontacts of relative high conductivity seive' principally to reducethe-resistance iii/the primary circuit causedby these contacts of lowconductivity and thus enable the-magneto to build up its current andproduce; a strong and eflicient current for sparking purposes. Theshifting lever is disposed ,sothat the movable contacts are at one sideof-the operating cam, while the contact member carried by the leverwhich cooperateswith the cam is located substantially-atthe other sidethereof. The yielding contact carried by the shiftable lever is fixed toa spring which is secured to the lever by screws so that it may bereadily removed from the. interrupter. The lever is provided with abronze 'sleeve bushing which is secured thereto by spinning over the endof the sleeve;

Referring. more in-detail to the drawings I have shown my invention asembodied in an interrupter including a supporting base 1. Attached tothis supporting base is'ia cap or casing 2 which inclosesgthe parts ofthe interrupter. 'The 'base' 1 is mounted on the magneto and isconnected withthe mags neto ignition system so that it may be swung foradvancing and retarding the spark.

The movements of the base are brought about through an arm indicated at3. Extendin through the base is a rotating shaft 4 whic carries anoperating cam My interrupter includes two pairs of contacts, one pair asindicated at 6 and 7 and the other at 8 and 9. The movable contacts 7and 9 are carried by a. lever 10 which is 'fulcrumed on a projecting pin1O carried by the base 1 (see Fig. 2-3). The lever '10 is angular inshape and the two parts of the lever are arranged at an acute angle toeach other. At the opposite end of the lever from the contacts 7 and f)is a fiber block 11 which is adapted to engage the cam 5. The cam 5 hastwo high points 12 and 13 which are sin'iilar in shape. The fiber block11 is substantially diametrically opposite the con tact men ibers 7 and9. The high point on the cam will engage this fiber block 11 and swingthe lever on its fulcrum so as to move the end of the lever carrying thecontacts away from their cooperating contacts (3 and 8. A spring 14: isattached to an abutment 15 and also tothe lever 10 and this springnormally operates to swing the. lever so as to close the contacts. Thepart of the cam. 5 between the high points is of such diameter that themovement of the lever through the action of the spring 14 is limited bythe contacts.

The contacts 6 and 8 are fixed; that is. they have no movement duringthe normal operation of the interrupter. These contacts are carried by asupporting metal bracket lti. The metal bracket 16 is mounted on a blockof insulating material 17. This metal bracket and the insulating block'on which it rests fit in a rectangular recess in the base 1 proper ofthe interrupter and are held therein by suitable screws 18 pass ingthrough the base "from the back side thereof and'threaded into the metalbracket 16. The screws are insulated from-the base 1. The contact point6 as above noted is formed of tungsten and is inserted in the end of ascrew 22 and welded therein. The screw 22' has a threaded connectionwith the metal bracket 16. The bracket is split and a screw at 22 bydrawing the split sections of the bracket together clamps the screw 22and firmly holds it in adjusted positions.

The contact point 8 is sin'iilarly formed as a part of the screw 23which is likewise threaded into the metal bracket 16 and is held inadjusted positions by a screw 23".

The primary of the generating coil is indicated at 20 in the drawlngsandthis primary is attached to the metal bracket at 21 and thus forms aconnection with the contacts 6 and 8. In Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive I haveshown the metal bracket 16 as formed in one piece. In Fig. 7 of thedrawings I lh ti ve shown a slightly modified form of the 'wisedirection.

bracket and it is formed in two sections indicated at 16 and 16. The twosections are separated from each other and as they are indepr-mdentlyconnected to the insulat ing base 17 and the base l of the magnetoproper these bracket sect-ions maybe eon nected through independentlines with a primary circuit it desired. The construction of the metalbracket so far as support ing the fixed contacts 6 and 8 is concerned issimilar to that described above.

The lever 10 is of sectional constrl'iction. Said lever is formed in twoparts indicated at A. and 1). Each part is stamped up from metal inchannel form and they are so constructed that the part A fits within thechannel of the part B. The fiber block 11 fits within the channel ofthis part B and is.

lever are secured together by a bronze sleeve bushing 27 which extendsthrouglrthe two parts A and l of the lever and through the center block26. The sleeve is formed with a flange 28 at its inner end and is closedat its outer end. It washer 2b is placed on the outer end of the sleeve.after which it is spun over the edge of the washer as indicatcd at 30;This firmly joins the two sections of the lever together and to thecenter block which fits within the section A. As a further means ofrigidly securing the sections of the lever I may provide rivet-s 31. Thesleeve bushing 27 freely engages the pin 10f and is held thereon by aflat spring arm 31 which is secured to the abutment 15 and has a.depression in its outer cnd indicated at in l ig. E2 of the drawings,which engages a rounded stud 33 on. the end of the sleeve 27. Byreleasing the spring I l and lifting the arm 21 and drawing the same toone side, the entire lever may be removed.

The tungsten contact 7 is rigidly secured 35 which is threaded into ametal block 36.

ice

The spring 14: is secured to the center block 26 by a screw 36. I

In the operation of my device let us assume that the cam 5 is rotatingin a clock- 12 engages the fiber block 11 it will shift the lever. Thespring Set is normally out of contact with the section A of the leverwhen the contacts are closed as shown in Fig. l. The first shiftingmovement of the lever as indicatechin Fig. 5 will separate the contacts8 and 9, while the contacts 6 and 7 still remain closed. A continuedmovement of the shaft brings the high point of the cam entirelyunderneath the fiber block 11 and this will shift the lever to asuiiicient extent to separate the contacts 6 and 7.

As soon as the high point As the cam 5 continues to move, the contactsthe primary circuit is broken at each spark interval by the contacts 6and 7 and the circuit is also closed by these contacts; Inasmuch asthese contacts are made of tungsten which is a metal of relatively lowconductivity there will be little or no sparking; The contacts 8 and 9when they are closed, being in multiple with the contacts 6 and 7 and ofrelative high conductivity, will reduce the resistance in the primarycircuit which the contacts 6 and 7 would otherwise establish. Bothpairs' of contacts are opened and closed at each spark interval, but onepair open previous to the other and remain open until the circuit hasbeen broken and again closed by the other pair.

While I have described my improved circuit breaker as particularlyadapted for interrupting the primary circuit of the magneto and alsodescribed my operating lever as carrying contacts formed of metal ofrelatively different conductivities, it will be understood thatfrom'certain aspects of the invention my improved interrupter and partsthereof may be used in connection with ignition systems of other types.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Lette rs Patent is 1. An interrupter mechanism for ignitionsystems comprising a pair of main contacts, one of which is movable forbreaking acircuit to produce an ignition spark, a air of auxiliarycontacts in multiple wit said main contacts and one of which is movable,

said auxiliary contacts being timed so as. to open before and closeafter said main contacts, a lever carrying the movable contacts, saidlever being fulcrumed intermediate its ends and carrying the contacts atone end thereof, a fiber block at the other end of said lever from thecontacts and a cam ada ted to engage the fiber block for moving sailever.

'2. An interrupter mechanism fofr ignition systems comprising a pair ofmain contacts,

one ofwhich'is movable for breaking a cir-.

cuit to produce an ignition spark, a pairof auxiliary contacts inmultiple with said main contacts and one of which is movable, saidauxiliary contacts being timed so as to open before and close after saidmain contacts, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends and carrying saidmovable contacts at one end thereof, a fiber block at the other end ofsaid lever, a spring for moving the lever so as to normally hold thecontacts in engagement and a cam engaging the fiber block for moving thelevel: in the opposite direction.

3. An interrupter mechanism for lgnltlon systems comprising a pair ofmain contacts, one of which is movable for breaking a circuit to producean ignition spark, a pair of auxiliary contacts in multiple with saidmain contacts and one of which is movable,

said auxiliary contacts being timed so as to open before and close aftersaid main contacts, a lever fulcrumed intermediate its ends, a camcooperatlng with one end of the lever for moving the same, a spring formoving the lever in the opposite direction, means for rigidly securingone of the movable con-' tacts to the lever, a spring carried by thelever and supporting the other contact.

a. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprising a pair ofmain contacts, one of which is movable for breaking a circuit to producean ignition spark, a pair of auxiliary contacts in multiple with s: 'l

main contacts and one of which is movable,

said auxiliary contacts being timed so as to open before and close aftersaid main from tacts, a lever carrying the'movable contacts. means foroperating the lever, a supporting pin for the lever, a bronze bushingrigidly secured to the lever and engaging saidpln for forming a bearingsupport for the lever.

5. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprisingcontacts, oneof which is movable for breaking the circuit to prdduce an ignitionspark, a lever supporting the movable contact, said lever being formedfrom-two sections of metal stamped to channel form, one of which fitswithin the other,

a bronze bushing sleeve extending through the side members of bothsections, said sleeve having a flange at one end thereof, and

means at the other end thereof for holding ,7

the sections together, said sleeve also serving as the fulcrum bearingsupport for the lever.

6. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprisingcontacts, oneof Which is movable for breaking the circuit to produce an ignitionspark, a lever supporting the movable contact, said lever being formed11!;

from two sections of metal stamped to chan nel form, one of which fitsWithin the other, a bronze bushing sleeve extending through the sidemembers of both sections, said sleeve having a flange at one endthereof, 11:

and means at the other end thereof for holding the sections together,said sleeve also serving as the fulcrum bearing support for the lever, acenter block through which said sleeve passes, said center block-beinglocated 12' within the channel of the inner section of the lever,- aspring secured to said center block for moving said lever in onedirection and a camfor moving the lever in the opposite di-..

rection. i

7 An interrupter mechanism'for ignition systems comprisin contacts, oneof which'is movablefor break ng the circuit to prodi'zce an ignitionspark, a lever supporting the movablev contact, said lever being formed13 from two sections of metal stamped to chana bronze bushing sleeveextending through the side members of both sections, said sleeve havinga flange at one end thereof, and

Y means at the other end'thereof for holding. the sections together,said sleeve also serving as the fulcrum bearing support for the lever, acenter block through which said sleeve passes, said center block beinglocated Within the channel of the inner section of the lever, a springsecured to said center block for moving said lever in one direction anda cam for moving the lever in the opposite direction, a fiber blockfitting within the channel in one section of the lever and adapted tobronze bushing sleeve extending through engage the operating cam 8. Aninterrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprising a pair ofcontacts, one of which is movable for breaking the circuit to produce anignition spark, a levercarrying tlNlOVELble contact, said lever beingformed of two sections of metal stam ed to channel form and one fittingWithin the other, acenter block located Within the inner section at thefulcrum point of the lever, a

bronze bushing sleeve extendin through openings in the side members of te sections of the lever and through the center block, said sleeve havinga flange at its inner end and the outer end thereof being closed, a,Washer on the outer end of the sleeve, said sleeve being spun over theWasher to hold the parts assembled and means for operating the lever.

9. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprising a pair ofcontacts, one of which is movable for breaking the circuit to produce anignition spark, a lever carrying the movable contact, said lever beingformed of two sections of metal stamped to channel form and one fittingwithin the other, a center block located Within the inner section at thefulcrum point of the lever, a bronze bushing sleeve extending throughopenings in the side members of the sections of the lever and throughthe center block, saidsleeve having a flange at'its inner end and theouter end thereof being closed, a Washer on the outer end of the sleeve,said sleeve being spun over the .Washer to hold the parts assembled, a

pin on Which said sleeve is mounted, a stud -on the outer end of thesleeve, a yielding arm engaging said stud for holding the-lever on saidpin and means for operating the lever.

10. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprising a pair. ofcontacts, one

of which is movable for breaking the circuit to produce an ignitionspark, a lever carry-, ing the movable contact, said lever being formedof two sections of metal stamped to channel form and one fitting Withinthe other, a center block located Within the inner section at thefulcrum point of the lever, a

openings in the side members of the sections of the lever and throughthe center block,

said sleeve having a flange at its inner end J .the channel of the leverand engaging said cam, a spring connected With said center block fornormally holding the contacts in engagement.

11. An interrupter mechanism for ignition systems comprising asupporting base having a rectangular recess, contacts, one of which isfixed and the ether of Which is movable, a metal bracket for supportingthe fixed contact, an insulating block on which the metal is supported,said insulating block fitting the recess in said base, a screw insulatedfrom said base and extending through the base, the insulating block andthreaded into the bracket for securing the bracket to the base.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oitWo wltnesses.

CHARLES THOMAS MASON.

